PET is a thermoplastic polyester prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol. It is used for the production of bottles, sheets, films, strapping and injection moulded products. PET bottles are extensively used for various
food-packaging applications, particularly in developed countries, which is leading to disposal problems. Presently, there is an increasing emphasis throughout the
world to recycle PET. The use of recycled PET for food packaging applications however, has raised questions regarding its safety. Recycled PET presents a source of a wide range of potential migrants such as residues from the
polymerisation process and degradation compounds. These substances can then transfer to the packaged food and pose health risks, in addition to off-flavours. The present study aims to learn how the overall migration from recycled PET compares to that from the virgin material in particular at elevated temperatures. Another aim was to investigate the specific migration of acetaldehyde from recycled PET into food simulants.